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The period for before the Ashes banter and selection guesses is practically finished following the Australian team unveiled a 15-member squad to confront the English side in the first Test. The expanded squad for the first match suggests the need for composed temperaments during the intense contest, with Jake Weatherald selected for the debut replacing explosive opener Sam Konstas.

But with Marnus Labuschagne returning to form and the only other inexperienced players being two pace reserves, there is a known quality to the selection despite the absence of unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Below is how each member (listed in A-Z sequence) will tackle the aggressive style, with a star rating indicating their likely influence on the campaign beginning on 21 November.

First. Sean Abbott

The veteran fast bowler is once more trusted as a back-up after being a regular member in the limited-overs teams in recent years. With the captain's comeback still unknown, and the remaining front-line attackers dealing with a gruelling fixture list, the 33-year-old will aim to continue his recent success to stay in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

A key fast bowler in Australia has emerged as a target for the opposition for his unflattering performances during the 2023 Ashes as much as for his quiet nature off the pitch. However the 36-year-old has not taken a significant haul at an average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against the Caribbean side – without proving to be a force at this level and ought to seize the uncommon chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The main wicketkeeper is back in the high-pressure atmosphere of an Ashes series aiming to stand out with the batting and his gloves, as well as for his involvement in a memorable moment when dismissing Jonny Bairstow at the famous ground in 2023. The veteran is currently a considerably more composed batsman whether required to lift the run-rate or help steer the lower-order with a game-changing knock. ★★★★☆

4. Brendan Doggett

The South Australia seamer has been on the edges of the Australian side during the last few Test series and is back after taking a solid haul – including eleven in the last match – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An first appearance is currently within reach as Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a demanding five Tests in a short period. ★☆☆☆☆

Fifth. Cameron Green

The promising all-rounder had been targeted for the national side from an early stage in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to deliver a significant impact to a high-stakes contest. The youngster was the pick of the top-order batters while coming in at No 3 in difficult conditions in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the bowling unit. If he can realistically be picked as a true bowling option in the first Test, or might have to be trusted to deliver more spells during the campaign, might be determined in the domestic match soon. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The accurate seamer is at the peak of his powers following leading the white-ball bowling and fine-tuning for the contest during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s reliable discipline, and touch of seam whether it be off the seam or swing, is bound to Test the tourists’ front foot approach to scoring, with the enduring question if Hazlewood can feature in four or maybe as many as all five Tests. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The devastating batsman is critical to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative against England with his positive intent and propensity to hit big scores as the stakes increase. A couple of hundreds against India last summer, and the similar the previous occasion England visited for five Tests highlight his skills, while the player has a ability of taking a key wicket with his occasional but underestimated off-spin. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The back-up wicketkeeper in the squad demonstrated that he should additionally be considered as a specialist batsman when scoring a hundred at more than a run-a-ball on his first appearance in the subcontinent. The player is most at home batting in the middle-order although he has demonstrated while captaining Australia in white-ball matches that he has the versatility to come in earlier, which could fit a consistent role as the replacement. ★★☆☆☆

9. Usman Khawaja

The experienced keeps hanging on even amid calls for a new blood at the opening position following tightening his hold on the first wicket with a double ton in the subcontinent earlier this year. Yet following being among several batsmen unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran needs a good beginning against England’s pace attack in what might be his final Test series to ensure he can make the call personally on the time to retire the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex No 1-ranked batsman has put a poor form and the disappointment of being omitted behind him to force his way back into the Australia squad – and surely the XI to play in the first Test. His outstanding performance with five centuries in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the confidence to support him to open if required with the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when batting at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his absence as his wicket-taking performances after a muscle problem in the second match contributed to turn the series when Australia visited England in the last series. The veteran failed to deliver the domestic series he would have wanted against India with only a modest haul previously but recovered to be critical to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australia star batsman will take over to captain the side until C